“Well, back in the day, it used to be a Family Fare, and we’re always looking for good locations for a thrift store.”
Mel Trotter Ministries CEO Chris Palusky says the organization’s newest thrift store in the 5000 block of Cherry Avenue in Hudsonville will be one of its largest.
“This has got 13,000 square feet and it’s just a great location and a great community.”
Other thrift store locations include Belding, Grand Rapids, Jenison, Kentwood, Sparta, and Walker. Palusky says Mel Trotter generates hundreds of thousands of dollars from its thrift store operation, sustaining 550 beds and 600 meals daily for the city’s homeless population.
“This is something that helps to fund our mission here at Mel Trotter and for every dollar profit we get, we’re able to put that back into our mission in downtown, so it helps to pay for food, it helps to pay for electricity and just the basic things here at Mel Trotter.”
The new Hudsonville thrift store opens July 31st employing 14 workers. Palusky says plans are already in the works for an eighth West Michigan location.
